{"id":29251,"date":"2023-01-17T11:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T11:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seabookings.com\/blog\/the-benefits-of-boat-therapy\/"},"modified":"2024-11-19T12:25:12","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T12:25:12","slug":"the-benefits-of-boat-therapy","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.seabookings.com\/pt\/blog\/the-benefits-of-boat-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"Os benef\u00edcios da terapia com barcos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who doesn\u2019t love spending a day on the water<\/a>? With all that fresh air, sunshine, and breathtaking views, there are plenty of reasons to love a day spent on the water. But did you know that spending time out on the water on a boat can also have genuine health benefits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, leisure activities, like boating, have been promoted for years now by occupational therapists and mental health professionals because they provide freedom from the demands of work<\/a> or responsibilities and allow us to rest, restore our energy, and have fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, boat therapy is now a well-known practice used to help people for several reasons, such as mental illness, physical health, and overall well-being. So, let\u2019s take a closer look to learn more about this practice and the benefits it provides.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Boat Therapy?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Boat therapy is a form of treatment that uses therapeutic sessions and activities on a boat to help people manage or overcome a wide range of challenges and issues. And though you might just now be hearing about it, boat therapy has been around for years.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the notion of being on the water helping people feel more calm, peaceful, and relaxed has existed for centuries, boating as a genuine form of therapy is a newer concept that supposedly originated in the early 2000s.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Sabien, a mental health clinician, started a charity called Sea Sanctuary back in 2006 after spending his youth realizing the many benefits of spending time out at sea. The program uses various forms of boat activities and evidence-based therapies<\/a> to help people who experience a range of mental and emotional challenges.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants can apply on their own or be referred by a medical professional. They then spend four days sailing up and down the coast, partaking in various activities such as hoisting sails, trimming ropes, and scrubbing the decks. They also have informal chats and sessions with an onboard therapist.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one is forced to do anything, though \u2014 they can participate as much or as little as they like. But the idea is that most of the therapy and healing happens as they disconnect and \u201close themselves\u201d in simple tasks while being surrounded by the restorative powers of the sea. There is also therapeutic healing that happens when they build meaningful connections with others onboard.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Sabien puts it, \u201cthere\u2019s something about the sea \u2014 something visceral, precognitive, and beyond language. It allows us to feel connected to something greater than ourselves.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, Sabien\u2019s program is not the only one available now. And you don\u2019t necessarily have to sign up for a specific boat therapy program to reap the many benefits of spending time out on the sea \u2014 though a guided trip with a medical professional does help.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But even just going out on the water in your own boat, a rented boat, or on a leisurely boat excursion or vacation at sea can connect you to the restorative powers of the ocean and help you disconnect and work through your troubles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Older<\/a>
Boat Therapy can be interesting at any age<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Who Is Boat Therapy For?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technically, anybody can partake in boat therapy. While some boat therapy programs are geared toward helping specific groups, anyone can take advantage of the therapeutic benefits by spending more of their leisure time out on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, boat therapy can be incredibly beneficial for certain people. There are boat therapy programs to help those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, programs for children with special needs or battling life-threatening illnesses, and programs for anyone of any age struggling with mental health issues, illness, and disabilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boat therapy or boating in general can even be helpful for certain populations, such as the elderly. Older adults often struggle to stay happy and healthy<\/a> as they age due to a lack of socialization and activity. But leisure activities like boating or participating in a boat therapy program can help them stay connected to others, keep their minds sharp, and stay physically fit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Benefits of Boat Therapy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What a person gets out of boat therapy can vary depending on their individual situation, as everyone\u2019s personal experience with therapy and what they need help with is different. For example, a child with special needs participating in boat therapy may gain something different from the experience than an adult battling addiction or general mental health issues. It just depends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But some of the overall benefits of boat therapy include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n